God's Word Proves True

As indicated in 2 Peter 1:16-21, Peter and the other apostles were eye witnesses to the power and coming of Christ. It was confirmed to them that Jesus was the promised Messiah. They would have previously read about the prophecy foretelling his coming. How exciting and rewarding it must have been for them to have actually witnessed it for themselves!

In Isaiah 7:14 we read, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Matthew 1:18 tells us, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Then on in verses 20-23 we read, “..an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of Christ approximately 700 years before it happened. Then... in Matthew we read that an angel confirmed Jesus’ birth was going to take place-- in the not too distant future. Then, in Luke 2:8-20, we read the familiar passage that tells us of Jesus’ birth having taken place. This is only one prophecy foretold and confirmed to have taken place. There are other prophecies in the Bible, as well, and... of all the prophecies written in the Bible... not one has failed to be fulfilled. 2 Samuel 22:31 tells us, “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” In other words, we can put our complete faith and trust in the Word of God. Psalm 18:30 confirms these words, “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him,” as does Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” When we really want someone to pay attention, we repeat our words for emphasis. Here we find the phrase, “The word of the Lord proves true” repeated more than once, for emphasis. We are being assured, more than once, that God’s word is true. We can trust His word. That means we can put our complete faith and trust in Him. The apostles read God’s word, then witnessed the truth of it for themselves. We also can be witnesses to the truth of God’s word. If we put our faith and trust in His word, by seeking Him with our whole heart and living in obedience to His teaching, God will confirm to us that His word proves true.

Many who say they believe God’s word do not truly trust in Him. To illustrate this, I could say “I believe the chair I am standing beside will hold me up and keep me from falling”. I could say it and I could believe it, but... unless I actually sit in the chair, I do not demonstrate faith which believes it will uphold me. Similarly, we could say we believe God’s word to be true, and that we believe He can keep us from falling (into sin), but until we actually put our trust in Him (through obedience to His word), we do not show evidence of a true and saving faith. In Philippians 4:6-9 we read, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

God’s word tells us not to be anxious, but to pray about everything (with thankful hearts). When we obey God’s word (do as it instructs)... thinking on things that are commendable and worthy of praise (verse 8)… we demonstrate our trust in Him and are blessed with His peace-- a peace that passes all understanding.

Why Do we Believe the Bible?

Do we ever stop and think about why we believe the Bible is true? The best reason we can give anyone is the fact that...

“the Bible is a collection of historical documents written down by eye witnesses during the lifetime of other eye witnesses. They report to supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophesies and claim to be divine rather than human in origin.”

This statement was taken from scripture references in the Bible. In 2 Peter 1:16-21 we read, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

In 1 John 1:1-3, John writes, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—  the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—  that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

In the transfiguration (found in Matthew 17:1-8), four of the apostles were on the mountain and witnessed Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. They must have been quite incredulous at this sight, especially considering Moses and Elijah had both died many years prior to this event. It would not be hard to understand why unbelievers would think this impossible and even foolish. 1 Corinthians 1:18 tells us, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

In verse 19 of 2 Peter 1 we read, “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,” In other words, they witnessed the power of God at work before their very eyes and God’s word was confirmed to them because of this. They could, therefore, admonish others to pay attention to God’s word. We are told that God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Peter says we would do well to pay attention to this word as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. We must look at God’s word as something that is necessary to guide us safely through life- to keep us from stumbling into sin. We must do what it says, even when we don’t feel like it. If we do not use God’s word as a guide for obedient living- we will stumble, fall and suffer consequences to our disobedience. Maybe many consequences. The greater the sin, the greater the consequence.

Looking at verse 21 of 2 Peter we read, For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” This is the best reason to believe the Bible is true-- because it is God’s word to us. Verse 21 of 2 Peter 1 tells us that Scripture does not come from the interpretation of man, but by men who spoke ‘from God’ and were guided by the Holy Spirit. It is as if God was breathing His own words into their mouths. In their writings, they were guided along by the Holy Spirit.

If we truly believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God and that every word within it is true and without contradiction, then we can be confident in using it as our guidebook for life. And if God, by His Spirit, has made us alive in Christ, it will be our desire to encourage others, (just as the apostles did) to pay careful attention to the words within this Book. Even though it will not always be easy to do what the Bible says, we must understand that these words are our life!

Paul is writing to Timothy here in 2 Timothy 3:12-17. He says, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

In other words, the Bible contains all that we need to know in order to live faithful lives, pleasing to God. May we, then determine to read it, study it, and ask God to give us a right understanding of His word-- and the grace and ability to live in obedience to it.

May we pay careful attention to God’s word- “as to a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts.”

Power at Work

I thought of a wonderful analogy this summer which relates to my gardening. Every year it seems I start out keeping the weeds down pretty good, but over time I get distracted. Weeds get ahead of me-- to the point where I give up and they take over. This can be rather discouraging.

But THIS year has been different! Hubby bought me a wonderful little tiller. It fits right in between the rows, enabling me to keep the worst of the weeds cleaned up. THIS year my garden looks very tidy… and it has been a pleasure to work there...thanks to the power of this little machine.

I liken the power of this little tiller to the power of God at work in His children. As my tiller helps me deal with weeds in my garden, so God’s power helps his children deal with the sin in their lives. Many try to battle sin in their own strength and, inevitably… because their focus is on self instead of Christ… they become discouraged…

Many give up trying to overcome the temptation to sin because it becomes too overwhelming for them. But... as we seek God through obedience, He will display His power at work within us, and so free us from the grip of sin. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:12-13).

Just as I would love to be 100% free of all weeds in my garden, so do those belonging to Christ desire to be 100% free of sin in their lives. Unfortunately, that is not possible this side of glory. As we obey God’s teaching however, we will experience God's power at work within us, sanctifying us and making us more like our Savior.. "Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (Leviticus 20:8). As God sanctifies us we will increasingly display the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, "..the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). 

 

Praise God for His power at work within us!

Decisions, Decisions

I’ve been thinking on the importance of making decisions based on what is pleasing to God. Two men from scripture come to mind in this. In Genesis we read of how Lot had a decision to make- to take the land on the right or the left (Genesis 13:1-9).

In verses 10-13 we read, “And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord” (Genesis 13:10-13).

Lot based his decision on immediate gratification. The scripture says ‘he saw’ the valley was well- watered and chose it. He obviously did not consider all the factors involved in that choice-- certainly not the consequences of settling in an area where the scripture tells us the men were,“wicked, great sinners against the LORD.” Lot’s impulsive decision landed him in a very dangerous place, suffering dire consequences. He ended up living in the wicked city of Sodom, to which God sent two angels. They came to Lot and said, “we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life” (Genesis 19:13-17).

The story of Lot demonstrates the importance of making wise decisions based on the teaching of scripture. Certainly Lot could not have foreseen the disastrous results of his decision, but he should have known better than to surround himself with men who “were great sinners against the LORD.” “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Moses was another man from scripture who was confronted with a difficult decision. He was raised in prosperity and could have had great riches throughout his life. He chose, however, to give that all up. In Hebrews 11:24-26 we read, “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Notice the two words at the beginning of the sentence. “By faith.” If we are Christians, we must make our decisions by faith. Moses did this. He chose a life of trials and difficulties-- over temporary comforts-- in faith, believing eternity would produce a far greater reward.

If we are Christians, we, must make decisions in light of eternity-- considering all factors and what is best for us and our loved ones. We should ask ourselves if this decision will please or displease God. Will it bless my loved ones (friends or family members), or will it hurt them? We should never make a decision impulsively based on immediate gratification. Consider first the long term consequences of that decision.

All people suffer consequences of choices and decisions that displease God, however big or little those decisions may be. As Christians, however, we could save ourselves much grief if we would seek God’s wisdom through His word to direct our decision making. In the Psalms we are told, “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:104-105). We are also told to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Had Lot sought God’s wisdom and turned away from evil, he would not have suffered such consequences. Sufficient are our trials in life without adding to them through unwise choices and decisions. However, we can be assured that “.. if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,” (2 Peter 2:7-8).

Submission- the Key to Harmony

I’ve been thinking on the importance of understanding and practicing submission. “Submission is the key to unity and harmony in human relationships.”

Submission should start within the home and move outward from there. God gives clear “submission guidelines” for each member of a family. “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged,” (Colossians 3:18-21). If wives would determine to submit to God through submission to their husbands... husbands determine to submit to God by loving their wives... children be trained to submit to God by obeying their parents... and fathers (as well as mothers) submit to God by not provoking their children, then families would live together in much better harmony.

In order to understand the broader concept of submission, we must, first and foremost, submit ourselves to God. James 4:6-7 tells us, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” In other words, when we act in humble obedience to God’s word… choosing submission to Him... Satan’s temptations can have no power over us.

Not only must we be subject to the law, but we must also be subject to one another as employees and employers. “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him” (Ephesians 6:5-9). We can replace the word “bondservants” with “employees” and “masters” with “employers” in order to apply it to today. Scripture is telling us to be in submission to one another (in and out of the workplace) by living according to God’s will, in order to please Him in all that we do. Romans 12:10 reads “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Not only must we be submissive toward those in authority over us, but God tells us (through His word) that we must also be, “submitting to one another out-- of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). Submission to one another must always be in the context of scripture’s teaching, however. If someone sees us acting in disobedience to scripture’s teaching and corrects us, we are to acknowledge that wrong and repent of it. If, however, someone suggests we must obey them... when their commands are clearly against the teaching of scripture... then we must choose to “obey God rather than men,” (Acts 5:29). If, first and foremost, our desire is to be submissive to God, then obedience to scripture’s teaching must be top priority.

Jesus is our perfect example. In humble obedience to the Father, He was able to place the interests of others ahead of His own. Philippians 2:1-4; “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Jesus demonstrated perfect submission to His Heavenly Father by doing what was pleasing to him, “Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him,” (John 8:28-29). If we are true disciples of Christ, we must follow the example our Lord set for us just before His crucifixion. “And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done,” (Luke 22:41-42).

Bind Leading the Blind

Luke 6:39-40 reads, “He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

If one is physically blind, he cannot keep another blind person from falling into a ditch. In this same way, one who is spiritually blind cannot keep others from “falling into a ditch,” along the path of righteousness.

(In truth, we are all spiritually blind-- but some have partial sight.) “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known,” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Because all are born dead, in trespasses and sins, we are all born blind (spiritually speaking). If God, by His Spirit, makes us alive, we then begin to see. We will never fully see and understand scripture’s teaching...and will not attain perfection while in these earthly bodies...but we will see enough to follow the path of righteousness.

Each of us is at a different point on that pathway. The more spiritually mature are walking closer to God than others, with a better understanding of His word. As we seek God through His word, and are sanctified by Him, our blinded eyes see more and more clearly. We become increasingly mature in the faith and grow closer to God, by the work of His Spirit in us. (The more we seek God through His word, the more mature we become in the faith as he sanctifies us). It is God (alone) who can make our blind eyes see. Psalm 146:7 reads, “The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.” (God enables us to see more clearly (by the work of His Spirit)- as we live in obedience to His teaching.)

Psalm 119:104-105 reads, “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s word, and His word alone, can open our eyes to see more clearly. None of us will have 20/20 spiritual vision until we reach glory, (when we are fully sanctified), but we must strive for it by reading God’s word (and praying for a right understanding). (We do so in order to understand scripture’s teaching progressively, by His Spirit.) Proverbs 4:18-19 reads, “..the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” (As disciples of Christ- we will not be fully trained until we are fully glorified one day- in heaven. Only then will our path shine as bright as full day.)

As, in obedience to God through the teaching of His word, we will grow in wisdom and understanding as men and women of God. In 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Paul is telling Timothy, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

It is important to seek scriptural teaching from those whose eyes have been opened more fully to the truths of God’s word and whose teaching lines up with God’s commands—most importantly the great command to, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

If others’ teaching is not in line with God’s commands they are spiritually blind, and we should not sit under their teaching. As scripture warns, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?”

May God reveal to us... more and more... the truth of His word...and may we be conformed... more and more... into the image of Christ.

Compassion versus Condemnation

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (Luke 6:37). To understand this verse correctly, we must look at it in the broader context of scripture’s teaching. This verse does not mean we won’t be judged for our actions if we don’t judge others. Scripture is clear that everyone will be judged one day. 2 Corinthians 5:10 reads, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil,” “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” (Matthew 12:36-37).

Every person will be judged one day. Many will be condemned, but, praise God, the good news is that, “those who are found to be in Christ will not come under condemnation” (Romans 8:1)

This verse instructs us to judge other’s actions (not hearts) as God will judge us—according to the teaching of scripture. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you,” (Matthew 7:1-2). If we judge others harshly, we can expect to be judged harshly. If we show compassion and forgiveness as God shows to His children, we can expect to be judged with compassion and forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 admonishes, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

If we know Christ’s forgiveness ourselves, we should want others to receive His forgiveness, as well, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him,” (John 3:17). Compassion, rather than condemnation, will better draw others to Christ. Scripture teaches that God’s kindness leads men to repentance, “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)? 

 

We are all sinners in need of grace and strength to keep us from falling. Galatians 6:1 reads,“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Galatians 6:1), “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Matthew 22:37-39 sums up the law by which we will all be judged, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”